The Place Where

by Rodion Pretis

  “No thanks,” the girl snorted, “while you are my partner, I am completely safe, especially my legs,” he laughed and again confidently led her in the dance, and she finally relaxed. “So where did you learn to dance like that?”

  “I have been dancing for eleven years,” he replied reluctantly, “until I had to choose: either dancing or ... MMA.”

  - ABOUT! So that's why you move so easily! Are you still doing MMA? - could not restrain Alexei's curiosity.

  “I was getting ready for a duel, when I decided to take this opportunity and play Risk by Contract,” the Destroyer was amazed to notice the genuine interest that sparked in her eyes, “and I don't even know how it will turn out on my return. ” Maybe I'll continue my career in MMA, or maybe not.

  “Stop ...” the girl squinted, remembering something, “so you are that same Destroyer?!” - she beamed when he doomed nodded his head. - If we have time for the tournament, will you invite me?

  “Consider already invited,” he smiled quite irresistibly and added slyly. “And you promise that you will somehow dance with me in that red dress.”

  “At least now,” Alexei agreed easily, and the cheerful demons in her eyes danced joyfully.

  “The next waltz,” the Destroyer asked.

  “Agreed,” the girl answered.

  * * *

  Having distributed all the business cards that he had taken with him, Wolf, Nick and the Player met at the entrance to the dance hall and went in search of the Destroyer and Alexei.

  “I don't see Alex anywhere,” the Wolf looked inquiringly at his friends.

  “Me too,” Nick agreed. “And where can she be?”

  “I didn't notice Alex, but the Destroyer is having a good time dancing with a sexy beauty in red,” the Player drew attention, pointing to a friend.

  “And how does it hold on to it?” Nick's voice sounded a bit hoarse.

  “Guys,” waking up and clearing his throat, Wolf grinned, “now I understand why the Destroyer said that he had experienced shock therapy, accompanying Alex in the shops,” his friends stared at him uncomprehendingly, and laughed. “That girl in red that just takes your breath away is Alex.”

  At the same time, Tykan and Xander, sitting in the bar, still could not recover from the transformation of Alexey's dress, which instantly turned her into the most coveted girl in the hall.

  “Daden, take me,” Xander cursed in an undertone. “Her creation is Kiryak!”

  “Undoubtedly,” Tykan agreed with him, unable to take his eyes off the girl.

  - Tai, are they lovers? - Xander asked quietly, watching the dancing couple.

  “I don't know,” his friend shrugged, forcing himself to turn to his interlocutor with an effort of will and smiled wryly. “At least she made me pretty tough in the morning to pay for a fleeting kiss.” She beats without hesitation and in a way that literally paralyzes from pain. This is for you in case you decide to try your luck.

  “If she did, then this was to be expected,” Xander snorted.

  “When she is close, I'm not always able to think wisely,” Tykan spread his hands.

  “You know, I'll try my luck,” Xander got up from his chair, “a little pain for kissing such a girl is a very small price,” he smiled at his friend and went to the girl in the hope of inviting her to the next dance.

  Taking advantage of a short break between dances, Alexei and the Destroyer rested right in the center of the hall, teasing each other and laughing merrily.

  “May I invite you to the next dance?” - a pleasant male voice was heard, and the girl turned to look at its owner: the prepared words of refusal never sounded.

  An elegantly dressed very tall man stood in front of her, perhaps even a centimeter or two taller than the Destroyer and not inferior to him in shoulder width. His raven-black hair was neatly pulled together in a ponytail, and the expression on his eyes of an incredibly deep black color framed by fluffy eyelashes, which the beauty would envy, was simply impossible to make out: they were tightened like a whirlpool. Noticing that the girl was examining him, Xander smiled and, once again, thanked the fate that endowed him with such a catchy appearance. But it turned out that he was in a hurry to celebrate the victory.

  “I already have a partner,” the triumphant smile did not hide from Alexey's attentive gaze.

  “I dance better,” Xander's eyes literally felt the girl's figure, and this made her a little nervous. “I promise you will like it.”

  “I don't think so,” she puffed out her lips, and continued capriciously. “You are too thick ... mmm ... heavy.”

  - What? - Xander sighed in amazement, and the Destroyer, unable to withstand the capricious and innocent expression of Alexei's face, doubled over in laughter: it was simply impossible to call this man fat or heavy - a tuxedo emphasized a beautiful figure, and a restrained bestial grace was visible in each of his movements.

  “Forgive me, I didn't want to offend you,” the girl said softly, in whose eyes the devils danced, “my friend and I argued a little, and you helped resolve this dispute, and in my favor,” she turned to the Destroyer. “I hope that now you saw and understood everything yourself - your figures are very similar, so stop doing self-digging, Shi.”

  “You are simply unique, kitten,” the Destroyer answered her, still gleaming with laughter in his eyes, but already straightening up.

  “Disputes are your personal business,” Xander said harshly, deciding from their appeals to each other that this couple were lovers, and annoyed that he didn't like it too much, but no one would dare to say that he was mocking with impunity Xander. It is a pity that real duels are forbidden here, but a virtual duel will suit me, too, and he looked probingly at the Destroyer.

  “You want a duel,” Alexey grinned, and her eyes became so cold that they could surely freeze the fire in hell, “there will be a duel for you.”

  Chapter 12

  “You want a duel,” said Alexei, “there will be a duel for you, but not with the Destroyer,” she nodded toward her companion, “but with me.”

  - With you? - Xander went cold, he could not even imagine a duel with a girl. - It's impossible! I called your companion ...

  - Hey! For more accurately! - The Destroyer took a step towards Xander, but Alexei kept him barely audible:

  “He's mine,” she slid to the man and slapped him in the face with a whip. “I hope this is enough for you to drop your doubts and accept my challenge.”

  Xander barely noticed her hand flickering, and simply did not have time to dodge. The slap turned out to be, surprisingly, very strong: his head twitched and a taste of blood appeared in his mouth. He looked up at her, and he thought he noticed a shadow of regret flashing in the depths of her stunning eyes, at the sight of blood appearing in the corner of his lips.

  “As you wish,” he sighed, wiping his blood.

  Xander finally realized that what he had witnessed was nothing more than a swoop of two partner friends and no lovers at all. Having sighed heavily, he went after the girl to the virtual entertainment room, where in the far corner one could find a system for a closed duel. On the way, he mentally cursed himself for incontinence and temper. He could only name the only excuse that his friend had already said - in the presence of this girl rational thinking simply refused.

  - Choose the settings of the duel, - Xander still could not believe that now he would have to fight a girl who, the further, the more he liked.

  “Do you agree with any of my choices?” - calmly asked Alexei.

  “Anyone,” he confirmed, inserting a card into the slot in the terminal and occupying one of the virtual reality booths.

  - Alex, - the Destroyer touched her shoulder, he knew that it was impossible to dissuade her, she was more obstinate than any of his acquaintances, - be careful.

  “I am always careful,” the girl smiled, for a moment distracted from the terminal, where she set the parameters for the upcoming duel.

  She removed any firing weapons from the arsenal of
virtual reality, set protection from outside interference, set the maximum reality mode and broadcast prohibition, then inserted her card into the second terminal connector and occupied her booth.

  The transition took place instantly - as soon as she closed the door of the booth, she found herself in virtual reality. Xander was already waiting for her in a spacious, well-lit room, one wall of which was hung with a variety of knives. The girl looked at him - he looked alarmed and a little embarrassed.

  “Alexei,” he now knew her name, and she, like him, “do you realize that this virtual reality mode for a duel is no different from an ordinary duel?”

  “Absolutely,” she calmly held the gaze of his bottomless eyes.

  “May I dissuade you from this?” - everything in him resisted the fight with this girl.

  “No,” Alexey answered firmly and headed for the wall with the weapon, where she chose a sword in one hand and a dag in the other. “Choose a weapon, Xander,” she urged him.

  “I also prefer a sword,” with a sigh, he picked up his sword and dagu.

  “Let's start,” the girl suggested, taking up a place in the center of the hall and standing in the left-side stance - in front of the dag.

  Determined not to harm her, Xander stood in a rack opposite her and prepared to repel the attack. But he did not expect such speed from her - he generally first met a person with such speed. He received the first scratch instantly, dodged the second blow with a tud and went into a dull defense, barely managing to reflect the hail of blows raining down on him, it would seem, from all sides. Realizing that he had met a really strong opponent, Xander risked a careful attack, her counterattack literally pressed him against the wall of the hall.Aleksei simply did not give him the opportunity to turn around, several of his attacks were easily repulsed, he felt the lack of space more and more and could not mentally applaud his opponent so skillfully driving him into uncomfortable places for him. Having decided to break into the center, he rushed forward in a long lunge, and instantly went cold with horror: she was moving right on his sword ...

  As in a slow motion movie, the girl easily passed the sword, slightly correcting its path with the dag, and dealt a strong blow with the guard of her sword to his head. For a second, the light in Xander's eyes faded, and, as was usual in such cases, naked instincts turned on: he dropped his weapon, turned around and easily knocked out his sword from the hands of a girl who did not expect him. But Alexei, having lost a sword, instantly struck a dagu that slid across his chest, leaving a bloody cut on a snow-white shirt. Without waiting for the second blow, he caught her hand with the doug and squeezed his hand so that the weapon itself fell out of her fingers ...

  Finally, the darkness in front of Xander's eyes disappeared, and he looked into the girl's eyes pressed against the wall: now she was completely in his power, but in her eyes there was not even a hint of fear. Her pupils were dilated with pain, but not a single sound escaped her lips. He looked at her lips and clearly understood what would happen, but now he will kiss her ...

  Kissing her, he freed her hands, for which he immediately paid: a severe blow from the solar plexus threw him to his knees, and the girl, without losing a second, rolled over and, grabbing her sword, turned to him, ready to finish him off. Xander raised his head and saw the sword brought in for the blow, the pain bound him with a strong web, preventing him from escaping the blow.

  “It was worth it,” he smiled sadly.

  Alexei looked at the wounded man and wondered which of them would have won if they had a chance to meet in a real battle. After all, having lost his temper for a second, he managed to disarm it with ease, which, growing together, was a dull pain reminiscent of a broken wrist. Now she won, but the taste of victory was bitter: because of some stupidity, she shed his blood, put him on her knees, and now he is waiting for the final blow. But most importantly - he believes that she should kill him.

  “What a stupid thing,” the girl breathed, and, throwing her sword aside, sank to the floor beside him. “Come on, I will help you,” she suggested.

  “I don't understand,” he closed his eyes for a moment, struggling with weakness. - You won, I am completely in your control. What more do you want?

  “Xander,” she touched his shoulder and looked into her black burning eyes, “you have spared me, I am you.” Let's get a tie and get out of here. If we linger, you will lose too much blood.

  “Excuse me, Alexei,” he said very quietly, covering her hand with his, “I broke your wrist.”

  “Do not worry, it will heal,” the girl assured him, noting that his bleeding had stopped, “I have quick regeneration.” I'm more concerned about your wound.

  - Which one? - He smiled at one corner of his mouth, but, noting that she was a little pale, he hastened to assure. - Do not worry so much, this is not the first time with me. And I also have fast regeneration, do not worry.

  “I will dance with you,” she said suddenly, after a second's thought, “as much as you decide, but only if you go out right now and go to the doctor.”

  “This is like blackmail.” But I agree, Alexei - he sighed more freely and slowly got to his feet, taking her help - there is only one problem - you will not find a single sober doctor here.

  “This is not a problem,” the girl helped Xander get to his exit, “if you trust, I can help you.”

  “With joy,” he independently took the last two steps, turned to look at the girl, and literally fell out through the door into the real world.

  Chapter 13

  The news that one of the most famous acts - Xander accepted the challenge of the very girl whom everyone was interested in this evening, instantly flew around the halls. The most curious crammed into the virtual entertainment room. Here and there betting was made, incredible amounts were at stake. However, most argued about how long the duel itself would last, and not about its result. There were, however, those who, for the sake of entertainment, were betting girls to win, but they were few. However, all those present unambiguously regretted the impossibility of observing the match with their own eyes and were worth the most fantastic assumptions about how it goes.

  The Destroyer, Wolf, Player and Nick patiently awaited the end of the duel, taking the most advantageous position at the terminal and not letting anyone in to it. They did not answer questions idly staggering and did not respond to attempts to bet with them. The more time passed, the more hotel guests pressed on them.

  - I heard that the girl is in your team, - a very full man of small stature approached them brightly and magnificently discharged.

  “You could say that,” the Wolf grunted.

  - What does it mean? - pouted out of importance approached. - And in other matters, it doesn't matter. I am ready to bet a large amount on the fact that she will lose to Xander no later than 5 minutes later.

  “Forget it,” the Wolf flashed his eyes, “there will be no bet.”

  “I can double the amount against yours,” the parrot muttered arrogantly.

  “That will not change our decision,” the Wolf was adamant.

  “Three times,” the fat man blurted out, and in the meantime, the most curious were drawn to the argument.

  “I offer a bet,” the Destroyer said, thinking that this could be an excellent advertisement for them, and with a look asked his friends not to interfere. “You say that she will lose.” Did I understand you correctly?

  - Indisputably lose! - the fat man burst out laughing.

  “Do you really think that a girl can win?!” - the skeptical man twisted tall and thin as a pole, waving his gloves. - This is nonsense!

  - Will win? The Destroyer thought for a second. - Maybe. But I'm more inclined to a draw.

  What started here! They all started talking, arguing - the noise was incredible. The essence of all the screams came down to the fact that Kstander is the best in everything, and he will not have the slightest difficulty to get rid of anyone.

  - Well! - the destroyer grinned, easily covering all this n
oise and din with his voice. - I put on behalf of the team a draw. Who will answer?

  - I AM! Three to one! - the fat "parrot" blurted out, holding out his business card. - Thirty thousand.

  - Anyone else? - the Destroyer asked, in turn, holding out a business card. Three more joined the bet, betting thirty thousand in the same way.

  - What a bet? - easily slipping through the crowd, near the Destroyer a man stopped even in a tuxedo more like a Viking warrior than a bored bank owner, as indicated on his business card.

  “About how the duel will end,” the Destroyer examined with interest the new interlocutor.

  “And who is fighting?” - interest flashed in the eyes of the Viking, and he glanced briefly at the terminal display. - So, so, so ... Xander and Alexei ... dei and dei ... complete reality ... - interest has completely flooded his eyes. “Xander, I know.” But Alexey? Is that the girl in the stunning red dress that gave Xander a slap in the ballroom?